A London man who has lived in the same council flat for 42 years has won a £5 million lakeside mansion in the Lake District. Darren Thorpe, 53, was painting a friend's summer house when he received the life-changing news from Omaze.
Mr Thorpe, who works as a concierge, said he had been living paycheque to paycheque and never expected to own a house, let alone a £5 million property. The five-bedroom home overlooks Lake Windermere and comes with a separate boathouse and jetty, plus £250,000 in cash.
After learning he had won, Mr Thorpe took the bus to the pub where his daughter works to share the news. 'Even though I'd just become a multimillionaire we still got the bus to the pub, the money won't go to my head... but the booze certainly did!' he said.
The property is mortgage-free with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Mr Thorpe can choose to live in the house, rent it out, or sell it. He plans to host a barbecue there this summer and continue working for now.
